The end of the emergency rule in Rivers State has ushered in a new chapter in the state’s turbulent political history. In a statewide broadcast, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, addressed the people with a message steeped in gratitude, humility, and a renewed call for unity.
For months, Rivers people lived under the reality of an extraordinary intervention by the Federal Government. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, declared a state of emergency in the state at the height of a bitter political crisis that had paralysed governance and threatened peace and stability. The declaration, though controversial, was accepted by Governor Fubara, who chose not to challenge its legality, preferring instead to cooperate with the President and the National Assembly. His reasoning was clear: no sacrifice was too great to secure peace for Rivers people.
In his broadcast, Governor Fubara reflected on the sacrifices borne by the people. The suspension of democratic institutions, the tension among political actors, and the uncertainty over the future of governance created widespread anxiety. Yet, Rivers people endured with patience and resilience. “The costliest peace,” he reminded, “is still cheaper than the cheapest war.”
The turning point came when President Tinubu personally intervened, bringing warring factions to the negotiating table. At the heart of the reconciliation was the Governor himself, the Honourable members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and the state’s political leader, His Excellency, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. After months of deadlock, an accord was reached: peace must return to Rivers State.
Governor Fubara declared that the crisis was now behind the state, though not without painful lessons. He called on political leaders and stakeholders to embrace reconciliation and work for the common good. The Governor urged every Rivers citizen to rise above bitterness and division, reminding them that diversity is the state’s greatest asset and unity its strongest guarantee of a prosperous future.
“Our responsibility now,” he said, “is to ensure that the peace we have embraced remains permanent. We must put aside our differences, work for the common good, and advance the interests of our people above all else.”
The Governor expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu for what he described as a fatherly disposition and decisive intervention that restored calm. He also extended thanks to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Dr Tajudeen Abbas, and distinguished members of the National Assembly for their roles in resolving the impasse.
He acknowledged the contributions of the Rivers State House of Assembly, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups, women organisations, youth groups, and Rivers elders. According to him, their prayers, counsel, and support sustained the state through the darkest hours.
Beyond politics, Governor Fubara stressed the urgency of returning to the business of governance and development. He cited achievements already made in infrastructure, education, and healthcare but admitted that the emergency rule slowed progress. His administration, he pledged, will now focus on completing ongoing projects, reviving the economy, protecting lives and property, and improving the well-being of all Rivers people.
“I will continue to work harmoniously with the Rivers State House of Assembly to recover lost grounds and accelerate the social and economic advancement of our dear State,” he assured. “I will serve with the fear of God, humility, and a high sense of duty.”
Political observers believe the peace accord and the Governor’s conciliatory tone mark a new phase in Rivers’ politics. For years, the state has been a battleground of rival factions, often spilling into violent confrontations. The intervention by President Tinubu, analysts argue, may set a precedent for federal mediation in state-level conflicts.
However, questions remain about the durability of the peace. Will the truce between Fubara and Wike hold? Will the Rivers State House of Assembly maintain harmony with the executive? And will ordinary citizens feel the dividends of reconciliation in their daily lives?
In concluding his broadcast, Governor Fubara turned to faith. He gave glory to Almighty God for guiding the state through its trials and prayed for a future of dignity, peace, and prosperity. “May God bless Rivers State and all its people. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he declared.
For Rivers people, weary of months of uncertainty, the words signalled hope. Yet, as the Governor himself acknowledged, hope must now be matched with action. The work of healing, rebuilding trust, and delivering tangible development has just begun.
Emeka Amaefula+234(0)8111813069
